kindle

1749 FP of Handel's Royal Fireworks against his wishes, as its official premiere was scheduled for 27 APR. This public rehearsal at Vauxhall Gardens had 12,000 in attendance, which caused traffic jams on London Bridge. [Julian calendar, Gregorian calendar, 2 MAY].

1937 FP of A. Copland's play-opera for high school The Second Hurricane at the Grand Street Playhouse in NYC. Professional Children's School, Henry Street Settlement adult chorus, and the Seward High School student chorus, with Lehman Engle conducting and Orson Welles directing. Actor Joseph Cotton particepated for fee of $10.

1939 Birth of English composer and pianist John McCABE in Liverpool. Recorded all of Haydn's sonatas.

1979 MET Opera Debut of American bass Ara Berberian [Kecal] the Bartered Bride, 18 seasons (1978-89, 90-97) 333 perf., 37 roles., 33 works.
b-Detroit, 1932. Attended the University of Michigan. Repertoire includes over 150 different operatic roles. He is especially noted for his interpretations of Osmin in Mozart's The Abduction From the Seraglio, and Don Basilio in Rossini's The Barber of Seville.